Tank with internal connecting member and method for assembling such a tank

Abstract

A method for assembling a tank including: providing a first shell and a second shell; putting edges of the first and second shells into contact with each other and mutually connecting the edges; providing the first shell with a first connecting member extending inwardly from an inner surface of the first shell, the first connecting member including a hole; and after the edges of the first and second shells are put into contact with each other, connecting the first connecting member to the second shell by inserting a pin shaped element through a hole in the second shell and the hole in the first connecting member.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for assembling a tank comprising:
 providing a first shell and a second shell; 
 putting edges of the first and second shells into contact with each other and mutually connecting the edges such that the shells together form a container delimiting an internal volume; 
 providing the first shell with a first connecting member extending inwardly from an inner surface of the first shell, the first connecting member including a hole; and 
 after the edges of the first and second shells are put into contact with each other, connecting the first connecting member to the second shell by inserting a locking element through a hole in the second shell and the hole in the first connecting member, such that relative mutual movement between the first connecting member and the second shell is prevented. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element is a pin shaped element. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing the second shell with a second connecting member extending inwardly from an inner surface of the second shell, the second connecting member including a hole; wherein the holes in the first and second connecting members and the hole in the second shell are mutually aligned when the edges of the first and second shell are put into contact with each other; and wherein the pin shaped element is inserted through the aligned holes, such that relative mutual movement between the first and second connecting members and their respective opposite shells is prevented. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second connecting member comprises a first and second tubular end part each including two oppositely extending holes, respectively, wherein one tubular end part thereof has a larger cross section than the other tubular end part, and a length of the first and second connecting member is such that the other tubular part extends within the one tubular part. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first shell includes a plurality of first connecting members, each first connecting member including a hole; wherein the holes of the plurality of first connecting members and the hole in the second shell are mutually aligned when the edges of the first and second shell are put into contact with each other, and wherein the pin shaped element is inserted through the aligned holes of each first connecting member. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pin shaped element is inserted transversely through the first connecting member. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pin shaped element is locally reinforced at a location where the pin extends through the hole in the first connecting member. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pin shaped element includes a laterally extending flange with a surface which is scaled against an outer circumferential surface around the hole in the second shell, such that the hole in the second shell is sealed. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second shells are made of plastic. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pin shaped element is a hollow tube, and any one of the following elements is integrated in the pin shaped element: a filler spud, a portion of a venting system; and/or wherein the pin shaped element also functions as any one of the following: a fuel line, a venting line, a cable duct. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing the second shell with a second connecting member extending inwardly from an inner surface of the second shell, the second connecting member including a hole; wherein the holes in the first and second connecting members are mutually aligned when the edges of the first and second shells are put into contact with each other; and wherein the pin shaped element is inserted through the aligned holes, such that relative mutual movement between the first and second connecting members and their respective opposite shells is prevented. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first shell and the first connecting member are molded integrally as a single piece. 
     
     
       13. A tank, or a fuel tank or an additive tank for a vehicle, comprising:
 a first shell and a second shell; 
 wherein edges of the first and second shell are mutually connected such that the first and second shell together form a container delimiting an internal volume; 
 wherein the first shell includes a first connecting member extending inwardly from an inner surface of the first shell, the first connecting member including a hole; and 
 wherein the first connecting member is connected to the second shell by a locking element that extends through a hole in the second shell and the hole in the first connecting member, such that relative mutual movement between the first connecting member and the second shell is prevented. 
 
     
     
       14. The tank of  claim 12 , wherein the locking element is a pin shaped element. 
     
     
       15. The tank of  claim 14 , wherein the second shell includes a second connecting member extending inwardly from an inner surface of the second shell, the second connecting member including a hole; wherein the holes in the first and second connecting members and the hole in the second shell are mutually aligned; and wherein the pin shaped element extends through the aligned holes, such that relative mutual movement between the first and second connecting members and their respective opposite shells is prevented. 
     
     
       16. The tank of  claim 14 , wherein the first shell includes a plurality of first connecting members, each first connecting member including a hole, wherein the holes of the plurality of first connecting members and the hole in the second shell are mutually aligned, and wherein the pin shaped element extends through the aligned holes of each first connecting member. 
     
     
       17. The tank of  claim 14 , wherein the pin shaped element includes a laterally extending flange with a surface which is sealed against an outer circumferential surface around the hole in the second shell, such that the hole in the second shell is sealed. 
     
     
       18. The tank of  claim 14 , wherein the first shell and the first connecting member are molded integrally as a single piece. 
     
     
       19. The tank of  claim 14 , wherein the pin shaped element is a hollow tube, and any one of the following elements is integrated in the pin shaped element: a filler spud, a portion of a venting system; and/or wherein the pin shaped element is configured to function as any one of the following elements: a fuel line, a venting line, a cable duct.